Use LinkedIn to network and find a job

Use LinkedIn to network and find a jobGone are the days of deciding that an online presence is just not for you when it comes to the job hunt. If youre actively look for a job, its hard to be taken seriously if you dont have a professional footprintor if you have a weak one. googletag.cmd.push(function() googletag.display(div-gpt-ad-1467144145037-0) ) You have to have a LinkedIn profileits a no brainer at this point. Recruiters and hiring managers use the site to look for kompetenz job candidates, and everyone in almost every industry uses it for networking. And while its bad form not to havea LinkedIn account, its almost as bad to have a profile that says nothing about why youre a rockstar.Here are a few tips for how to create a LinkedIn presence that shows you in your best light and attracts the right people.1. Customize your internetadresse.Make your link distinctive so people can more easily access your profile. An ideal URL will look something like this http//www.linkedin.com/i n/yourfullname. Dont force people to type in a bunch of incomprehensible numbers and letters. Simply modify your public profile URL in the settings section to make this change.2. Make a sharp first impression.Create a basic profile that is visually appealing, clear, concise, and welcoming. Upload a photothe most professional one you have. Write yourself a compelling (but concise) headline to help recruiters and visitors to your page get what youre about without having to read too muchthink of it as a mini elevator pitch.3. Expand upon your application documents.Use your LinkedIn page to detail everything that doesnt fit in your resume and cover letter. In the description space beneath each job title you list, detail your responsibilities and positive results. Upload links to your portfolio, or other documents and videos that showcase your best work. Add a little something extra to really make every section sing.4. Get eyes on your page.Once your profile and URL are where you need th em to be, start connecting. Send requests and invitations to your existing professional and personal contactsyour friends, classmates, former co-workers, current co-workers, etc.plus to any other people in your industry you know or want to know. Any time you have a positive networking interaction with someone, shoot them an invite on LinkedIn (and personalize the message dont waste an opportunity with the standard Hi, Name, Id like to connect with you on LinkedIn.) If you get invites from people you dont know, check out their profiles. Can they be potentially helpful to you and your career? Are they interesting in their own right?5. Snoop around.Start stalking the companies you would love to join. What can you learn by digging around on those company feeds? Do you have any existing contacts that have connections to these companies or industries? Can you score yourself an introduction somewhere?6. Maintain your profile.Dont just make a profile once and forget to do anything new. Stay active. Remind your contacts why they thought you were worth connecting with in the first place. Share articles and links that are relevant to your industry. Keep your profile updated with every professional change. Engage with other peoples content on a regular basisparticularly people you might be trying to impress.7. Use keywords to attract hiring managers.If its clear you speak the language of your chosen industry, you will come across as informed and professional. Using key terms in your headline and profile make it more likely that hiring managers will stumble upon you as a candidate, even if they arent specifically looking for you.